Boys & Girls Club Members Conduct Energy Audits

Plano, Texas resident Windy Wiley opened her doors to five teens from the Collin County Boys & Girls Clubs for a home energy check-up in September. As part of a community service partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the five young energy experts in training toured Wiley’s home and shared tips for saving energy and money on utility bills.

The teens, who are learning about energy efficiency and how it protects the environment, are putting that knowledge into action by conducting check-ups on local homes to help Collin County families save energy. Wiley was eager to learn more from her young guests. “This is a great program. Kids are learning something and I appreciate the knowledge I gained today, “said Wiley. “If it saves me money, that’s great.”

According to EPA, most power plants burn fossil fuels to make electricity. By using less energy, homeowners can reduce the amount of fossil fuels being burned, which means less greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global warming. And saving energy means saving money. “A lot of money can be saved if you are energy-efficient. It’s not that hard,” said BGCA member Julius Hayes, 17, who helped with Wiley’s check-up. BGCA member Kiara Craig, 17, offered the following advice: “You can save money [with] Energy Star.”

The Collin County youth also learned that homeowners should consider changing old light bulbs in the rooms where they are most used such as kitchens, living rooms and bathrooms, to Energy Star. According to EPA, Energy Star qualified CFL bulbs use 75% less energy and last ten times longer.

Energy Star program manager Denise Durrett accompanied the Boys & Girls Club members on their home check-up, and was impressed with their knowledge. “These kids are really inspiring. They’re leading their community by showing homeowners how to make a difference by saving energy and fighting global warming,” she said.

EPA is also encouraging residents to take the Energy Star Pledge to fight global warming through energy efficiency. “If every Dallas household took part in EPA’s Energy Star Pledge,” said Durrett, “we would save $70 million in energy costs each year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of 75,000 cars.” For more information, visit www.energystar.gov.